uforgot, you are right, partly. I don't obsess about food or my weight--I often forget to weigh myself for weeks on end. When I do, I might be up a few, or down a few, but it's all in the right ballpark for me.

But for all of my adult life until a few years ago, I was about 15 lbs heavier than I am now. What changed? First off, when I was heavier, I still didn't obsess and I did not eat convenience foods (other than Starbucks--bad), but I did overeat and I ate the wrong things. I ate way too many carbs and not nearly enough protein. I also did not eat an apple a day, something that I think really has helped me be more healthy. Sounds naive and trite, but it's part of eating healthy for me. And I had the 1000-calorie breakfast from SB--triple grande latte and "low fat" cinnamon coffee cake---every day.

I'm bound to alienate the vegetarians on this list, but I was pretty much a vegetarian for many years because my then-DH was. We ate lots of carbs. For me, I needed protein in the form of chicken and a bit of beef. That's just me. It has worked for me. I eat less food when I eat meat.

There was also alot of emotional stuff going on in my life and when I addressed that (personal life, work life), the pounds melted off of me. Oh, and Pilates really helps too.

FWIW, neither my mother nor my brother even have microwave ovens. I do, and use it to warm up things I've made (I make alot of homeade foods, and always have leftovers). I don't buy or eat ready-made meals and such. Only microwave popcorn, which I have about once every couple of months.

I think that learning to cook, and even growing your own food or at least herbs, is a great way to learn to think about what goes into your mouth. Even shopping at the farmers market--it's mindful, not mindless like at the grocery store. When I go to the grocery store (and I do shop there), I always feel like I have to rush to get out. When I go to the farmers market, I like to linger and look and compare and even talk to the vendors and farmers. I get my beef directly from small farm where the cattle is raised, and that always involves at least an hour of chatting with the wonderful farm wife who sells the beef. (she homeschools her kids and likes adult conversation, which she doesn't get everyday!) It's really a cool way to do things, and I'm so grateful that I can do it this way.

Best of luck in your new way of thinking!